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Portuguese · Insults & Name-Calling

Corno

KOR-noo · /ˈkoʁ.nu/

Cuckold — a man whose partner cheats on him

3/5 Watch your audience

genuinely rude; friends only, never at work

Literally

"Horned (one)"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

A uniquely loaded Brazilian insult: the "horns" of a man being cheated on. It cuts at pride, not just intelligence, which is why it stings more than it looks on paper. Chanted at rival fans, thrown in arguments, and — flipped — worn with pride in the "corno manso" meme culture. The matching hand gesture (chifrinho) does the same job silently. Friends-only unless you want a fight.

Heard in the wild

O estádio inteiro gritando 'corno' pro juiz.

The whole stadium chanting 'cuckold' at the ref.

Where it lands

Brazil (universal); huge in the Northeast.

Quick answers

What does "Corno" mean?
In Portuguese, "Corno" means "Cuckold — a man whose partner cheats on him". Literally it's "Horned (one)". A uniquely loaded Brazilian insult: the "horns" of a man being cheated on. It cuts at pride, not just intelligence, which is why it stings more than it looks on paper. Chanted at rival fans, thrown in arguments, and — flipped — worn with pride in the "corno manso" meme culture. The matching hand gesture (chifrinho) does the same job silently. Friends-only unless you want a fight.
Is "Corno" offensive?
It's genuinely rude — a 3/5 (Watch your audience) on the Punch-o-Meter. Fine among friends, never at work or with people you've just met.
How do you pronounce "Corno"?
Say it "KOR-noo" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈkoʁ.nu.

Related in Portuguese

Filho da puta FEE-lyoo dah POO-tah Son of a bitch / bastard Otário oh-TAH-ree-oo Sucker / gullible fool / mug Babaca bah-BAH-kah Jerk / idiot / asshole (mild) Vagabundo vah-gah-BOON-doo Bum / lowlife / good-for-nothing (f. 'vagabunda' = slut) Burro BOO-hoo Dumb / stupid (person) Arrombado ah-hom-BAH-doo Asshole (strong) / piece of shit

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "You idiot".

how to say "You idiot" →

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